Don't forget your dog while gift shopping

They're our dependents who rely on us for food, shelter and good health care. They're not just our best friends; they may be our heads of household, our consiglieri (cue "The Godfather" theme) or our reasons for getting out of bed in the morning -- long before we're ready.

In short, our dogs are our family.

So this holiday season, why not go the extra mile? Give your four-legged kinfolk a holiday basket he'll be sure to not re-gift.

You can customize this basket to suit your buddy's lifestyle. For the road tripper, Muttropolis carries dog car seats, travel bowls, and other clever transportable items. If she treks high-altitude trails, REI offers products for the extreme outdoors dog.

But what are basic items that every dog can use? Let's start with what keeps them coming back: the treats ...

No. 5: The treats

Nothing says Happy Holidays in dog speak better than special treats.

Your nearest Petco carries its own line of holiday treats. Its paw-shaped container adds a nice touch, making it ready for presentation in your gift basket.

PetSmart also offers a variety of Holiday-themed rawhide treats, everything from candy canes and snow men to reindeer and gingerbread men -- all of them excellent choices for healthy chewing.

But where will you put these treats after the unwrapping ceremony? After all, your pooch can't eat these treats in one sitting (or can she?)

No. 4: The treat jar

With a treat jar, you have ready access to tasty nibbles when pooch performs your favorite trick -- or when she begs until you can't stand it anymore. It also comes in handy for our pet sitters so they don't have to search for biscuits and jerky when we're at work or play.

Just about every pet store carries its own line of treat jars. Even stores that don't cater to pets offer stylish options.

Treats. Done. Now let's talk wardrobe. How about those Dodgers (or Yankees, or Cardinals)?

No. 3: Sports gear

If you're a sports fanatic, chances are your pooch is too. After all, yelling at the TV when your team is down 13 points minutes before a game ends would rub off on any dog. Sports gear for your canine means you not only have a loyal pal, but a loyal rally dog too.

Hot Dog Collars has an entire section of sports gear for pets. Keep your pooch warm in below freezing temperatures with a jersey bearing your team's colors for between $9.99 and $15.99.